On March 25, 2025, Thuyloi University hosted a meeting and discussion with the Pearl River Water Resources Research Institute (PRWRI) to exchange insights on water resources management and explore future cooperation opportunities.
The meeting was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai, Vice President of Thuyloi University, and attended by representatives from the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, the Faculty of Civil Engineering, and the Faculty of Water Resources Engineering. The PRWRI delegation was led by Vice President Yu Shunchao and included leaders and engineers from the Institute. The session aimed to strengthen bilateral collaboration in scientific research and human resource training in the field of water resources. It provided a platform for both sides to discuss future directions, especially joint research initiatives and the application of advanced technologies in water management.
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai warmly welcomed the delegation and emphasized the strong and long-standing relationship between Thuyloi University and Chinese research institutions. He expressed appreciation for the invaluable support from China during the early stages of the university’s establishment and affirmed the university’s commitment to expanding cooperation in both education and scientific research, including expert exchanges.
In response, Mr. Yu Shunchao also expressed his honor to have the opportunity to work with Thuyloi University, a leading training and research institution in the field of water resources in Vietnam. He highly appreciated Thuyloi University's extensive international partnerships and noted that the cultural similarities and shared river basin systems between the two countries form a strong foundation for collaboration.
In addition, Mr. Yu Shunchao also shared his pride as an alumnus of Wuhan University - one of the units that supported Thuyloi University in the early stages of its establishment. He expressed his hope that the two sides could expand cooperation in the future and thanked Thuyloi University for organizing the previous field trip for the PRWRI delegation in Hai Phong.
The Pearl River Basin, including the Xijiang River, Beijiang River, Dongjiang River and the rivers in the Pearl River Delta, is the third largest river basin in China and the second largest river basin in terms of runoff volume. The Pearl River Basin Water Resources Research Institute (under the Pearl River Basin Water Resources Commission) is one of the five leading research institutes under the Ministry of Water Resources of China, headquartered in Guangzhou, with the function of providing scientific and technological support to the Commission. The Institute includes many important research facilities such as the Pearl River Basin Engineering Research Center, the Key Laboratory for Pearl River Basin Management and Protection, along with many modern research and experimental facilities. In particular, PRWRI is proud to own the world's largest and most complex physical model of a river basin, serving research on river management, hydrology, water ecology, flood prevention, and smart technology in water resources management.
TLU and PRWRI have maintained a long-term bilateral cooperative relationship since the 1990s through cooperation in the field of water resources. In 2019, President Trinh Minh Thu and Vice President Nguyen Trung Viet, along with representatives of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, visited and worked at the Institute. Then, in 2024, at the invitation of President Trinh Minh Thu, Vice President Li Jie and the delegation of the Institute attended the 65th anniversary of the founding of the school and discussed cooperation in the fields of high tides and saline intrusion.
During this recent meeting, the two sides discussed several key areas to promote deeper collaboration. Both expressed interest in the application of technology in water resources, particularly in smart water management. With its expertise in forecasting and modeling, PRWRI could support the development and implementation of real-time water monitoring systems for flood control, drought management, and saltwater intrusion mitigation.
In addition, both parties discussed the potential signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Thuyloi University and the Pearl River Water Resources Commission. PRWRI expressed its desire to collaborate in areas such as water resource management, flood disaster prevention, water source ecological restoration, and the operation and maintenance of smart hydraulic infrastructure.
Faculty members and experts from PRWRI also exchanged ideas about proposed joint research initiatives between the Vietnamese and Chinese governments in water resources, aiming to enhance scientific and technological capacity in the water sector of both nations. Both parties showed a strong willingness to cooperate in implementing joint studies, sharing experience, and providing technical support throughout the research process.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Yu Shunchao extended an invitation for a Thuyloi University delegation to visit and work in China in the near future. The visit is expected to facilitate deeper exchange, align concrete cooperation plans, and open more opportunities for collaboration in research and training.
The meeting concluded in a spirit of openness and mutual cooperation. Both sides expressed a strong desire to maintain close relations and expand joint scientific and technological programs in water resources, contributing to the sustainable development of both countries.
Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation
Photo: Department of Political and Student Affairs